Chinese authorities on Wednesday released an action plan for air pollution control in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and nearby areas, setting specific targets for the autumn and winter season.

The average density of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that causes smog, should drop by four percent from October 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, compared with the same period last year, according to the plan jointly released by several government agencies including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Development and Reform Commission.

The number of days with severe pollution should fall by six percent, said the plan.

In the past years, measures implemented by the central and local governments for meeting the targets of air quality improvement in the Action Plan were useful. Between 2013 and 2016, the density of PM2.5 fell by 33 percent in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

(Cover image: A bright day in Beijing. /VCG Photo)

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